AS OF JANUARY 1, 2019: ONTARIO’S NEW DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS

02/28/2019

You can now face heftier penalties if convicted of distracted driving and/or careless driving.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G and/or M licence holders convicted of distracted driving First Conviction:

• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)

• A fine of up to $1,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose

• Three demerit points

• 3-day suspension

Second Conviction:

• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)

• A fine of up to $2,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose

• Six demerit points

• 7-day suspension

Third and Any Further Conviction(s):

• A fine of $615, if settled out of court (includes a victim surcharge and the court fee)

• A fine of up to $3,000 if a summons is received or if you fight the ticket in court and lose

• Six demerit points

• 30-day suspension

G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence holders convicted of distracted driving

You will face the same fines as A to G licence holders convicted of distracted driving, however you will not get any demerit points and you will face longer licence suspensions:

• First conviction: A 30-day licence suspension

• Second conviction: A 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction

• Third and any further conviction(s): Cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) – to get your licence back you’d have to redo the GLS program

Careless Driving

You can find yourself facing a careless driving charge if you are found to endanger the public because of any kind of distraction. It is unclear what the government’s broad definition will include, but as an example, it may include things like eating at the wheel.

If Convicted, You May Get:

• Six demerit points

• Fines up to $2,000 and/or

• A jail term of six months

• A licence suspension of up to two years

It is even possible to be charged with dangerous driving, which is a criminal offence (as opposed to a Highway Traffic Act offence), which carries much heavier penalties.

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